Other than sound, what's the difference between an exp vs. inexp flamenco guitar?

[steve]

I think it's definitely not the ease of playing. Inexpensive guitars seem just as easy to play as expensive guitars.

[Payul]

Hi Steve,

I have noticed that the real good guitars ( mostly expensive) have the ability to play good, have a good set up ( string hight at 3 mm from fret to string, at the 12th position 6th string) with nearly no buzzing ( only if played hard) and stíll a good sound.
It is very difficult to make a guitar that have both, good sound and good playability.
So if you find a cheap guitar with both at the same time, you have an expensive guitar for little money!

Payul

[Black Sheep]

I guess you could also answer this question in terms of investment. A student guitar in a couple of years would be worth about half of what they are charging of these same model new. A Yamaha C40 for $160 2 years ago might be worth $80 now.

However a guitar with quality solid timber construction bought for $4000 now might be worth $6000 in a few years time.

This is a gross over generalization but I'm basing my thoughts on the availability of timbers like spruce, ebony and mahogany. Good instrument grade solid woods with age are getting harder and harder to find and people are now buying Martins etc as investments. Makers are beginning to experiment with other timbers like Australian Oak and Blackwood (I have an Aussie Oak and Blackwood Maton 6 string and it is a sweat guitar - have a look at Tommy Emanuel on YouTube.) Martin are even looking at layered composite materials similar to kitchen bench tops to get around availability issues.)

Don't get me wrong, I think the Yamaha C40 is a fine instrument for those budget allows for, or who are looking to try this Flamenco thing before committing too much money. But the truth is, if you intend to buy a quality instrument in the future, consider bringing that decision forward before timbers become too rare and push the price up to ridiculous levels.

And you'll enjoy playing too...